A Word from Kari....

Less than 2 weeks to go! Can you believe it???

I've found myself recently struggling with the fact that the trip is almost here and my anxieties are starting to surpress my excitement! I find myself wondering through so many "what if's"- What if something happens to one of the kids? What if they don't believe my visa pictures are really me and they won't let me in the country? What if there is a yellow fever outbreak and I'm stuck in Kenya? As I find myself feeling anxious about these and so many other things like feeling inadequate, I've begun to realize that these are all tools that Satan is using to discourage me. He knows that God is going to work in a mighty way in and through each one of us while we are in Kenya. We each have so much to give, and I think we'll be surprised at how much we get from the kids.
We are in the final stretch and Satan is going to be throwing so many things in our way to bring us down.
Be praying against these spiritual attacks and any physical ailments that he's going to throw in our paths. The Bible talks about this in Ephesians
6:10-18 (see below). We need to take up the Shield of Faith to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one! I encourage you to study this passage and pray through it when you're feeling discouraged! Call your prayer partner and talk through things too.

Kari

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Down to the last two weeks....

It is two weeks before we go...

We have all our funds in or they are on the way

and

We have all our supplies in for our projects!!

If you are like me you might have even started packing...

well, at least setting things aside that will be packed.

Now is the time to ready ourselves for going....

How.....

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:6-9

Little Rascals....

I love this picture. It was taken on Hair Day.

That is when two gals come in and re-braid all the children's hair.

I thought of Buckwheat from The Little Rascals...

You are just going to fall in love with these

Little Rascals!!

16 More Days

16 more days till we are off....
Can you believe it is so close!!

It is time for last minute shopping...
DeeDee and I went Saturday to the Mall

and got a lot more fun
things for the girls Fashion show!!
Maya has been working so hard on this show.
Thank you Maya for all you are doing!!

My mom, Judi, has also collected a lot of fun clothing

and jewelry for the show!!

THANKS Mom for all your support and help!!

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:25-27

A little History

We are so close that I have begun to dream of Kenya.

All the feelings of Joy I have there are coming back so real it is as if I am already there.

I can see each child's face and imagine what they look like now, a year later.

I have a list going to remember all I need to bring

and all I want to bring for the children.

WE ARE ONLY 18 DAYS AWAY FROM LEAVING...

I find it funny that we are leaving on the 4th of July....

I tell people we are honoring not only our Flag by going,

We are honoring the Kenyan Frag by reaching out to them.

This 4th of July we thank God for two Flags!!!

The flag of Kenya was officially adopted on December 12, 1963.
The Kenyan flag is based on that of Kenya African National Union. The colours symbolize black majority, red for the blood shed during the struggle for freedom, and green for natural wealth; the white fimbriation was added later and symbolizes peace. The black, red, and white traditional Maasai shield and two spears symbolize the defense of all the things mentioned above.

Origin of the Kenyan flag
The Kenyan flag is based on the black over red over green flag of Kenya African National Union (KANU), the political party that led the fight for freedom and independence of Kenya. Upon independence, the white fimbriation, symbolizing peace and unity, and the shield were added.
The colours of the flag have been specified by the Kenya National Archives.

A Brief History of Kenya
About 2.5 million years ago Homo habilis lived in the rich fertile rift valley. By 50,000 BC Homo erectus had emerged and Stone age cultures spread over this area. The forefathers of Homo sapiens became hunter gatherers. Cushitic- speaking agro-pastoral people from the north, Ethiopia, and pastoral Nolites followed from the Nile valley moved across during 3000 to 1500 BC.Bantu speaking cattle herders and cultivators came from Sudan and West Africa between 500 BC and 500 AD. By about 800 AD Omani-Arab traders operated down the east African coast, under the Sultan of Zanzibar, and intermarried with the Bantu creating the Swahili culture.In the 16th and 17th Centuries the Portuguese gained control of coastal trade, but Arab resistance saw their power restored
During 1780 and 1850 Britain, France Germany and America established trading concessions with Zanzibar, but by 1895 Kenya had become a British protectorate. During the late 1890s and early 1900s the Kenya- Uganda railway was built and a white settler community was established.When Kenya became a British colony in 1919, organized African political activity developed. By 1944 KANU (Kenya African National Union) had formed, and Jomo Kenyatta became KANU's President in 1947. The Mau Mau uprising (1952-56) which resulted in over 10,00 deaths led to Kenyatta becoming Prime Minister of an independent Kenya in 1963.Jomo Kenyatta died in 1978 and was succeeded by Daniel Arap Moi. Although other political parties were by now permitted, Moi and Kanu were returned to power in 1992 and again in 1997, though with substantial opposition

19 More Days

Philipians 4:12-13

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,

whether well fed or hungry,

whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

In only 19 more days you will be leaving for Kenya.

Spend this weekend prepairing your self both

with the things you need and in prayer.

Only 21 More Days!!

Romans 12:9-18

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Better words could not be spoken before we leave for Kenya.

Read them and then Read them again each day before we go!!

Print them out on a sheet of paper and take them with you.

When fear of going seeks up on you,

read them and find God' peace.

When you feel worn out and tired,

read them and be reminded of what God calls us to be and do.

When you are not sure what to do,

read them and be remind what God would have you do.

When you are not sure how to handle a situation with someone else on the team, read them and know how God calls you to handle it.

When Dieing to Self seems impossible,

read them and see how God asks you to do it.

Follow these words and you will come home truley blessed!!